Klopp: Reds in control

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised his team after they beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Europa League at Anfield on Thursday.

Daniel Sturridge put the Reds ahead from the penalty spot in the 20th minute and Roberto Firmino doubled their lead in the 73rd minute, giving them a cozy two-goal advantage for the second leg at Old Trafford next week.

“It was good, from the first second until the last,” Klopp said of his team’s performance. “There were a few minutes in the second half where we lost a little bit of control, so we changed the system and again needed a few minutes to adapt to the new system. Then we were back in the game and in control again.

“Our game in the first half, we had more chances and could have scored more goals. But that’s how it is in football. We forced one goal with a perfect pass in the box. In the second half, scoring the second goal was very important. We did it and it was absolutely deserved.

“We created our problems by ourselves, and staying patient, not creating our problems, that’s a big challenge for all of us.

“We have a lot of things to improve and we should do this but a lot of things were really good tonight. Pressing, counter-pressing, no time for nothing for Manchester United – that’s how it should be. Really good.

“It is only the first leg, we know that, but we needed to win and we did. That’s great. Now one week until the next game – we know it is not easy but we are in a good position and we want to go to the next round. For that, we have to play like this again in Manchester.”